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Two Diaspora Nigerians win historic awards

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Two Diaspora Nigerians win historic awards

TWO Nigerian academics in the Diaspora – a Professor of History and African Diaspora Studies at Florida International University Saheed Aderinto and a lecturer and PhD student of engineering at Aberdeen in Scotland Zahrah Ibrahim -have been celebrated for their award wins.

Aderinto, who is the Founding President of the Lagos Studies Association, won the $300,000 Dan David Prize, the largest history prize in the world, in recognition of his “outstanding scholarship that illuminates the past and seeks to anchor public discourse in a deeper understanding of history”.

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In a congratulatory message on Monday March 13, Nigeria’s President-Elect Tinubu commended the selection committee of the international award for recognizing Aderinto’s useful contributions to the study of History and for making an excellent pick.

“I congratulate Prof. Aderinto, our worthy ambassador. I hope and pray that this award spurs many of our young people to rise to the zenith in their careers.

“By this rare achievement, Prof. Aderinto has not only further etched his name in academic excellence but has also made Nigeria, Africa and the entire Black race proud, for which we must all remain thankful to him,” Tinubu said.

He added that the award also underscores the importance of the study of history in Nigeria schools.

On her part, Ibrahim won the prestigious European “Drilling Engineering Innovation Award” for her presentation on “A Novel Approach for Wellbore Strengthening”.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described her as a role model for excellence and innovation in engineering.

“Let’s celebrate her success and encourage more girls to pursue education and their dreams,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

Lorenzo Natali seeks entries for its journalism prize

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Lorenzo Natali seeks entries for its journalism prize

THE Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize, sponsored by the European Commission, is seeking entries.

The competition aims to recognise excellence in writing, radio, and broadcast journalism on the theme of development, democracy, and human rights around the world.

The organiser says this year’s contest should relate to issues of inequality, poverty eradication, sustainable development, environment, biodiversity, climate action, digital (gap, connectivity, e-governance, entrepreneurship), jobs and employment, education and skills development, migration, healthcare (access, assistance), and peace, democracy, and human rights.

The contest has three categories: an International Prize, for journalists whose media headquarters is located in a partner country of the EU; Europe Prize, for journalists whose media is in one of the countries of the European Union; and Best Emerging Journalist Prize, for journalists under 30 in any partner country as well as in the EU Member States.

Works must have been published or broadcast between March 10, 2022, and March 9, 2023.

Entries are accepted in all languages but should include a translation in English, French, or Spanish if they are not written in one of these languages.

The winners in each category will receive EUR10,000 (US$10,662).

Journalists committed to defending democracy and human rights can enter a competition.

The deadline for the submission of entries is April 28, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Earth Journalism Network offers workshop on covering coastal solutions

Blessing OTOIBHI
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Earth Journalism Network offers workshop on covering coastal solutions

INTERNEWS’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), with support from the Kingfisher Foundation, is hosting a virtual media workshop covering coastal solutions, financing and resilience.

The three-day workshop is slated for May 2, 2023, to May 4, 2023. The workshop will introduce journalists to key coastal resilience topics and connect them with relevant experts and sources for their reporting.

Topics include nature-based solutions like mangroves, seagrass, dunes, and reefs, risk management plans, urban planning and the future of cities, measuring and tracking coastal resilience, and more.

Participants who attend all three days of the workshop will be eligible to apply for a story grant to produce journalistic work following the workshop.

Journalists from any country, preferably coastal countries, can apply for a virtual workshop.

The deadline for the submission of the application is March 15, 2023. Interested applicants can apply here.

Despite billions in revenue, Abia owes pensioners over 40 months, 20 years gratuities

Vincent Ufuoma
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Despite billions in revenue, Abia owes pensioners over 40 months, 20 years gratuities

THE Abia State Government owes more than 40 months in pensions and over 20 years in gratuities to all categories of retirees in the state, a report by The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (The ICIR) has shown.

Published on Saturday, March 11, the report highlighted the various struggles and pains some of the hapless retirees have continued to go through due to the refusal of successive governments to pay monies due to them.

One of the retirees, Dickson Onyemeta, narrated to The ICIR how his plan to set up a commercial poultry farm had failed because the state government refused to pay his gratuity when he retired in 2006.

Dickson Onyemeta/PC: ICIR’s Vincent Ufuoma

Onyemeta had hoped to use the farm proceeds to cater for himself and his family. The 70-year-old man said feeding and catering for his family had become a nightmare he had never anticipated when he left the service of the state.

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“We are suffering!” exclaimed Onyemeta. He added, “Retirees are suffering, Abia State government is not treating us well.”

Similarly, Otegbuna Ocha Chinemere, a retired primary school teacher, told The ICIR that life has not been kind to her since she left the state’s employment in 2013.

The 62-year-old stroke patient complained that her monthly pension, which amounts to N75,000 monthly, only comes once in five months.

Otegbuna Ocha Chinemere/PC: ICIR’s Vincent Ufuoma

Apart from the stress she had to endure doing what she referred to as fruitless verification exercises, Chinemere lamented that earlier last year, the government started paying pensioners in the state half payment.

The mother of three is concerned she is overburdening her 25-year-old son with so much financial stress.

Several other retirees interviewed shared testimonies of lack, pain, poverty and rejection they have been subjected to because of the non-payment of their entitlements.

Various sources interviewed, including the leader of one of the pension unions in the state, confirmed that the government has not paid gratuity since 2022.

This is despite several billions of naira received and generated by various successive governments since the country returned to democracy more than 22 years ago.

For instance, in the last seven years, the current Okezie Ikpeazu-led state government has received more than N321 billion in Federal Allocation (FAAC).

Info-graph showing amount of revenues generated and received by Abia State since 2015/PC: ICIR’s Data Hub

The ICIR data hub also showed that more than N107 billion has been generated in internal revenues by the state in the same period. Like most states in the country, Abia has enjoyed a bailout from the Federal Government, including N14.2 billion in intervention funds by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

Created in 1996, the state is blighted by allegations of embezzlement and corruption led by various successive governments of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, analysts believe that Abia State is one of the poorly run states in the Southern part of the country.

The state’s debt profile has more than doubled from N33.53 billion in 2015 to N70.57 billion by March 31, 2021, according to the Debt Management Office (DMO), despite its comparatively high monthly earnings from oil proceeds.

The ICIR made several unsuccessful attempts to get reactions from the state government.

The State’s Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo, requested that questions be sent to him via SMS but has not provided answers weeks since inquiries were officially sent to him.

Osun guber election: Court reserves judgment on Adeleke’s appeal

Vincent Ufuoma
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Osun guber election: Court reserves judgment on Adeleke’s appeal

THE Appeal Court in Abuja has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Ademola Adeleke challenging his sack as Osun State governor.

The three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice M.F. Shuaibu, stated that a date will be communicated to all parties in the appeal after the hearing on Monday, March 13.

Adeleke was represented by Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, while Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented Gboyega Oyetola.

Adeleke is the appellant, while Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the first and second respondents, respectively.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also joined as the third and fourth respondents in the suit.

The Osun Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had ruled in favour of Oyetola, the state’s former governor, on January 27. Two out of the three-member panel held that Oyetola was able to prove that there was over-voting in some of the polling units.

Adeleke rejected the judgment, describing it as a miscarriage of justice and an unfair interpretation against the will of the majority of voters.

In the 31 grounds of appeal, Adeleke is praying the court for “an order setting aside the whole decision of the tribunal”.

He also seeks “an order striking out the petition for want of competence and jurisdiction or, in the alternative, an order dismissing the petition on the merit”.

Adeleke submitted that the tribunal exhibited bias when it said “the second respondent (Adeleke) cannot ‘go lo lo lo lo’ and ‘buga won’ as the duly elected governor of Osun State”.

Presidential election: INEC promises to provide materials requested by LP

Bankole ABE
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Presidential election: INEC promises to provide materials requested by LP

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to provide all the materials requested by the Labour Party (LP).

The Commission made the promise in a post on its official Twitter handle on Monday, March 13. 

INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu, who met with the LP legal team, assured them during the meeting that the Commission has nothing to hide.

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“INEC has nothing to hide. Documents available at the HQ will be given immediately. We are meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners today, and we will discuss how other documents at the state level could also be made available to you speedily,” Yakubu said.

The Labour Party’s legal team was at the INEC headquarters to discuss modalities for obtaining the documents after getting a court judgment in that regard.

THE party had earlier announced plans to mobilise supporters and party members for a nationwide protest against INEC.

The LP said it would protest if the electoral commission refused to comply with the court order that grants it access to the materials used for the conduct of the presidential election.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dr Yunusa Tanko, on Saturday, March 11.

Tanko accused the electoral body of impunity for refusing to obey the order of made by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on March 3, directing it to grant the party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, leave to apply and receive certified true copies of materials used in the presidential election.

“It should be noted that in a democracy like ours, the rule of law must triumph not only in our legal system but also in our body polity,” Tanko said

He said the action of INEC constitutes an act of judicial insubordination and willful refusal to comply with the court’s order.

INEC declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

Yakubu announced the result on March 1.

According to the result released by INEC, Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), who came third with a total of 6,101,533 votes.

The PDP and LP candidates have rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge it in court.

Herdsmen have killed 5,138 in Benue since Ortom became governor – Govt

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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Herdsmen have killed 5,138 in Benue since Ortom became governor – Govt

THE Benue State Emergency and Management Agency has said that 5,138 people were killed and 18 local government areas attacked by suspected herdsmen under Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration.

The Executive Secretary of Agency, Emmanuel Shior disclosed this on Monday, March 13 in Makurdi during a press briefing on the humanitarian situation in the state since the inception of Ortom’s administration seven years ago.

Shior stressed that 18 of the 23 LGAs of the state were attacked by suspected armed herders.

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He said that the breakdown of deaths was the one recorded since the assumption of Ortom in office.

Shior noted that the attacks led to the death of 1,177 and 809 people in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

He further revealed that 43 and 440 people were killed in 2017 and 2018.

The state recorded 174 deaths from herdsmen attacks in 2019; 88 in 2020; 2,131 in 2021; 172 deaths in 2022 and 104 since January 2023.

“So, in all, the total deaths since 2015 till date is 5,138,” Shior said.

The SEMA boss, however, lamented that there have been resurgence in the number of attacks since the February 25 presidential and National Assembly polls.

“There was more influx of herders since the presidential election because Ortom lost his senatorial election.”

He reiterated that incessant herdsmen attacks informed the Ortom administration’s decision to enact the anti-open grazing law.

“The state government also came out with livestock guards and Community Volunteers Guards to ensure the protection of lives and property, with all these measures, there is no end in sight,” he said.

CAPPA urges politicians to de-escalate tension ahead March 18 polls

Mustapha USMAN
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CAPPA urges politicians to de-escalate tension ahead March 18 polls

THE Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged politicians to de-escalate the rising tension and election-related violence across the country by calling their supporters to order ahead of the March 18 gubernatorial and state assembly elections.

CAPPA in a statement issued on Monday, March 13, by the Director of Programmes Philip Jakpor, expressed worry over the rising use of hate speech, tribal and ethnic profiling as well as the widespread circulation of fake news laced with inciteful comments.

“We are particularly worried about reports of rising tension in Sokoto, Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna among several others.

“All stakeholders, political leaders, security agencies and the government must take immediate action to de-escalate the surging tension and violence and safeguard the rights and dignity of every Nigerian as guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” CAPPA said in the statement signed by Research and Policy Officer, Zikora Ibeh.

The organisation noted that electoral violence does not only undermine democracy but also perpetuates a culture of societal unrest and the exclusion of citizens from participating in governance processes.

Nigeria has witnessed a disturbing level of political thuggery and inciteful commentaries in the past few weeks, according to CAPPA. 

The statement added that there have been reports of physical attacks on targeted victims based on their political choices, ethnic or religious affiliations as well as instances of intimidation and coercion, verbal abuse, harassment, hate speech and incitement.

“We are particularly dismayed by the growing levels of tribal hostilities that are polarizing the beautiful diversity of the Nigerian people. These hateful ethnic diatribes, championed by divisive political elements bent on fanning the base sentiments of citizens have continued to fuel political disquietude and animosity among different ethnic groups.

“We are urging politicians and most importantly the candidates to act in manners that promote amity, engage their supporters in peaceful electoral processes and end all hateful rhetoric. We challenge political actors to take concrete steps to promote peace during elections by refining their campaigns to address pertinent questions of moving the country forward,” the statement added.

The organisation further urged all relevant security agencies such as the Police, and the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), among others, to closely monitor the ongoing electoral process and hold all purveyors of violence and political actors accountable for their actions to deter others.

“Finally, we call on the good people of Nigeria to rise above ethnic, religious, and other secondary emotions to participate in the democratic process and hold politicians accountable for their actions and promises,” the statement added.

Presidential election: Nigeria’s problem is accepting what is not acceptable – Peter Obi

Bankole ABE
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Presidential election: Nigeria’s problem is accepting what is not acceptable – Peter Obi

THE candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, has said one of the problems facing the country is accepting things that are not acceptable.

Obi said this when he appeared on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, March 13.

“What they are actually preaching is the problem of Nigeria. The problem of Nigeria is accepting wrongdoing, and what is unacceptable,” Obi said.

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According to the former governor of Anambra State, God wanted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold an election that was trustworthy, free and fair.

“So, what they are saying is not God’s wish. It is not God’s plan for Nigeria,” he added.

According to him, it is not God’s plan that Nigeria has not resolved her electricity challenges over the years.

In addition, Obi stated that he is contesting the methods used to determine Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election rather than the result itself.

“I am only challenging the process through which INEC declared him President-Elect. I have no issues with his declaration as the President-elElect.”

On allegations that the Labour Party rigged the presidential election in the South-East due to the large number of votes he got, Obi said, “I’m surprised I didn’t get 100 per cent of votes in Anambra. Come to Anambra with me. I don’t need to go around with security. They know I keep my promises.”

Obi urged INEC to accept the duty of helping Nigeria create a good international image.

INEC declared Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress winner of the presidential poll, ahead of 17 other candidates that contested the election.

The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, announced the result of the election on March 1.

According to the released result by INEC, Tinubu scored a total of 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled a total of 6,984,520 votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), who came third with 6,101,533 votes.

The PDP and LP candidates had since rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge it in court.

Emefiele not funding Lagos LP guber candidate’s election – CBN

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Emefiele not funding Lagos LP guber candidate’s election – CBN

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked a report alleging that its governor, Godwin Emefiele, doled out N500 million new notes to support the Labour Party (LP) governorship campaign in Lagos State.

In a statement signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, on Monday, March 13, the apex bank said the report, published by The Nation, was untrue.

The bank described the story as “malicious,” claiming that the CBN governor did not know and had never met or spoken with the LP candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour, in person or through a proxy.

“We wish to reiterate that the CBN governor does not take part in politics and therefore urge anyone with contrary information to prove the governor wrong by providing any facts.

“As such, the governor and his team at the CBN should be allowed to focus on their assigned job with a view to achieving the statutory mandate of the bank,” the bank stated.

The Nation had alleged that Emefiele’s purported support for the LP candidate added to his flagrant disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment nullifying the naira redesign policy initiated by the CBN.

Besides, the report recalled Emefiele’s reported failed bid to get the APC’s presidential ticket.

According to The Nation, the alleged N500 million is to help the LP win the Lagos State governorship election and consequently take the state from Tinubu, who, The ICIR reports, has largely determined the state’s governors since 1999.

“Emefiele, whose controversial policy is widely believed to have specifically targeted Tinubu ahead of the presidential poll, is highly unfavoured to continue in office after President Muhammadu Buhari bows out on May 29,” part of The Nation’s report stated.

“Funding the LP by the CBN would give an undue advantage to the LP over the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran,” The Nation stated.

It added, “Aside Emefiele’s N500 million cash, the LP has also reportedly received $2 million cash from a famous retired billionaire general, who hails from the North.”

The ICIR reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rescheduled the governorship and House of Assembly election scheduled for March 11 to March 18 to enable it to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used for the presidential and National Assembly election on February 25 for the poll.

The LP won Lagos State during the presidential election with 582,454 votes.

Tinubu’s APC polled 572,606 votes, and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP secured 75,750 votes and came second and third, respectively.

The ICIR reported how the CBN’s naira redesign policy has caused Nigerians great pain and negatively impacted business.

Many APC stalwarts, including Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai, had claimed the naira redesign was to make Tinubu fail the presidential poll.

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